Razor



Oct. 5; 1937. E. SIEGEL 2,094,827

B RAZOR Original Filed Oct. 18, 1932 ATTORNEY INVENTC Patented a. 5, 1937 Edward Sie'gel, New York, N. Y.

Original application October 18,, 1932, Serial No." 638,313. Divided and this application January 23, 1934, Serial No.

'. 21 Claims. (01. 30-48) This invention relates to hoe-type safety razors, that is, razors which are substantially T-shaped in side elevation, with the staff of the .T constituting a handle and with the barof the T constituting a holder for a removableand renewable thin and highly flexible or ribbon-type blade the opposite sides of which are straight and parallel to present straight and parallel cutting edges. More particularly, the present invention (the subject-matter whereof has been dividedout of my copending application Ser. No. 638,313, filed October 18, 1932) relates tothat form of previously proposed hoe-type razor wherein the blade holder includes a blade table presenting an elongate laterally curved convexity shaped in such manner that all the lateral curvatures whicgi are intended to act coniointly with the othe s asblade-fiexing ones are identical and aligned Ion-- gitudinally of the convexityina direction at an oblique angle to the longitudinal center line of the convexity, so that,--as viewed, in top the convexity has substantially parallel sides, but, actually, and side elevationally. thereof, one of said sides ascends and the other descends from the same end of the convexity.

These proposals have been made, of course, with the idea thatif the blade be suitably positioned and clamped in the holder between an overlying blade cap and an underlying blade table carrying at its top such a convexity as that above described, the blade could be upwardly laterally arched all. along the length of the convexity withthe longitudinal center line of the blade overlying the longitudinal center line of the convexity, thereby to have the cutting edges of the blade ascend and descend on opposite sides of the razor in substantial-parallelism with the opposite sides of the convexity. p

A very important object of this invention is to overcome what has been discovered to be a fatal defect in all of these previous proposals. Such defect is an inevitable immediate cracking of .the blade,- the first time the comparatively brittle holder parts are clamped together above and belowthe blade, to'fiex the same as intended, this cracking being due to the kind "of elongate positioning or keying means heretofore invariably proposed for holding the blade against bodily, r shift relative to the convexity preparatory to clamping. the jblade cap, and the blade table [tightly togethe with the blade therebetween. Such a keying means necessarily involves an aperturing of the. blade anda coacting key structure carried by a partof theholder; and this 55 blade aperturing, according to the prior art, has

plan, 'to provide an improved razor as the result of essential condition when the tially straight lines over always been in the form of tures spaced along a line longitudinal center line of s [PATENT orFrcE line is straight when the blade'is fiat, it becomes distorted into a spirally curved one, to correspond with the longitudinal center line of the convexity;

flexed over the convexity as ,when the blade is the result of clamping together the holde r parts.

The present invention, although it employs that essential thing, an elongate keying means, very simply yet completely overcomes the fatal defect aforesaid, as theresult of providing, in one aspect of the invention, a novel shaping and extension of the blade aperturing, and, in another aspect of the invention, a novel shaping and extension of the coacting key structure carried by a part of the holder. 'The present invention, therefore,

not only provides a new and valuable bladeholder,'but also a new and valuable blade.

Another important object of the invention is blade which shall not only have an aperturing which forms. a part of a novel and valuable keying 'means as just stated,-but which shall also be so constructed,

same, that, while thereby strengthened than weakened so thereof toward cracking during fiexure an auxiliary aperturing of the rather far as defeating any tendency thereof is concerned, the cutting edges of the blade will arranging themselves in a tightly in a properly shaped holder. tion of the cutting edges is one such aresprung or floated to extend along substantially parallel to and at opposite The invention, vantages thereof,

sides of convexity.

a plurality of apercoincident, with'the. the blade. While this the blade table substanthe edges of'the guard and cap an illustrative embodiment of. theinvention as shown in the accompanying drawing wherein Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation, showing said embodiment assembled for shaving;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of such assemblage; Fig. 3 is an isometric perspective, looking in the direction of the arrow 3 of Fig.2; -Fig. 4 is a top removed from the razor, that is, in flat tion;

plan view of the razor blade,

condishowing the top surface of the blade table of the holder in plane development;

Fig. 6 is-a view the blade cap in plane development;

showing the under surface of Fig. '7 is a fragmentary detail view, partially in elevation, and partially in vertical section on the line 'll of Fig. 1; and v Fig; 8 is a diagrammatic view explanatory of the behavior of the razor during shaving.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

A detailed description will now be given of the razor and razor blade shown in the drawing,

with the understanding that nothing therein contained, however particularized or apparently emphasized is indispensable, shall be taken in a limiting sense except as the essentials of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

The razor includes a handle l5, and a holder comprising an elongate blade table l6 andan elongate blade cap l'l.

The top surface of the blade table is shaped to present a convexity of such form that when a blade of the type herein shown is flexed over it, that portion of the blade on one side of a median line (A'X' of Fig. 4) extending obliquely to the cutting edges of the blade, will correspond to a portion of the surface'of one cone and the other portion of the blade on the opposite side of said median line will correspond to a portion of the surface of a cone in a position reversed with respect to the first cone. In the application of the blade to the oppositely disposed imaginary conical surfaces it is assumed that the edge l8g is located at the base of one cone,

and the edge l8h at the base of the other,

those portions of the blade lying between said edges and their respective opposite ends conforming to the surface portions of the imaginary cones over which the blade is flexed.

This convexity covers the entire top of the blade table, including the tops of marginal combs or guard portions Mia and l6b.

The under surface of the blade cap I1 is formed to have a concave shaping around its marginal portions surroundinga recess lla for accommodating certain projections on the top of the blade table l6, later to be described; this concave shaping corresponding to that of the convexity at the top of the blade table. I

The upper surface of the blade cap I! is shaped to have a convex rotundity corresponding to that of the convexity at the top of the blade table l6, except that the lateral curvatures of said rotundity are of less radius than that of said convexity, to gradually thin down the blade cap toward its opposite side edges which are to overlie the blade near its opposite cutting edges.

' In combinatlonwith this razor is employed an elongate highly flexible and very thin or ribbontype removable and renewable blade l8 having at its opposite sides straight and parallel cutting edges I81; and lab. A

The blade table IS, the blade cap IT and the blade l8 are of properly different widths, such that, after the holder has been tightened up to clamp the blade 'll'in the manner intended between the blade table ii of said holder and the blade cap I! thereof, the cutting edges Ida and llb of the blade will be so disposed that, as shown in Figs. 2 and}, said cutting edges will extend substantially parallel with but beyond the sides of the blade cap I! and substantially parallel with but within the outer limits of the combs lia and lib of the blade table ll. As seen in Fig. 2, said cutting edges l8a and llb will extendsubstantially parallel witheach other. At the same" time, as seen in Fig. 3, said cutting edges will-so extend that one thereof ascends and the other descends from the same end cffthe holder, at oblique inclinations to the horizontal, apparently to cross each other at the central point along the length of the holder. These dispositions of the cutting edges of the blade l8 result from the fact that said blade is flexed over the convexity on thetop of the blade table IS, with the longitudinal center line of the blade,

.normally a straight line, directly. overlying and following the spiral extension of the center line of said convexity.

When the razor and'blade are thus assembled, the horizontal crest line or longitudinal axis of the holder is contained in the line AX (Figs. 1 and 2), and this axis is parallel with the horizontal crest line or longitudinal axis of the convexity at the top of the blade table. The latter axis is substantially coincident with the axis of longitudinal concavity of the under surface of the blade cap l1, and with the axis of curvature of the blade l8; and all these three axeslast-mentioned are shown, to simplify the drawing, as contained in a single line A'X' (Figs. 4, 5, and 6). Further to simplify-the drawing, and in aid of brevity, whenever hereinafter the axis AX or A'X is referred to,"there will be meant merely that part of line AX or A'X which is contained within the limits of the blade cap, the blade table or the blade, as the case may be.

The axes AX and A-X' are, it will be understood, all axes of curvature; and they are the sole axes of curvature of all curved parts of the holder above and including this convexity on the top of the blade table l6, and of the blade. They are, as aforesaid, parallel. They are, moreover, straight lines contained in the same vertical plane through the holder; such plane extending longitudinally of the holder but at an oblique inclina tion to the longitudinal center line of the holder.

The handle J5 of the razor is an elongate one, depending vertically, with its longitudinal center line l5a projected below a point midway along the line of intersection of -said plane with the holder; the handle thus depending from the midface to apply the appropriate blade edge l8a or l8b similar against the face, and when the handle I5 is held vertically, as is most natural, not only are said guard portion and said edge inclined side elevationally of the razor, but the axis A--X of the holder, although horizontal, is inclined toward the face. Further, said guard portion and said edge are inclined to the vertical direction in which the razor will naturally be pulled over the face for the shaving cut. The axis AX divides the holder into two separate equal portions each a conical vault, but withthese vaults symmetrically reversed to have their imaginary apices beyond the two, ends of the holder and in prolongations of the axis AX at points equidistant from the center of the holder. Such a type of razor is the perfect solution, and probably'the arranged that they are both equally spaced. from sweep of the blade edge over the face, in such manner that-the direction of sweep is the resultant of two simultaneously performed. movements of the blade edge, one laterally thereof and the other longitudinally thereof, and not only therefore diagonal or oblique to the blade 'edge but also diagonal or oblique to the direction of sweep of the blade itself across the face.

Referring in this connection to Fig. 8, wherein the razor now being discussed is seen as in Fig. 1 when during shavingthis razor is moved in the usual way over the face by ordinary vertical downpull on the razor handle lengthwisely thereof, there is an automatic tendency of the side of the holder and the blade, edge applied to the face to have two motions both at an angle to the direction of such pull. That is to say, there is an automatic tendency of these parts to move laterally of said pull and at a consider: able if not a right angle thereto,-that is, in the direction of the line LL, and in the direction of conicity of the conical vault at the side of the holder against the face; and, simultaneously; an automatic tendency of the guard portion and cutting edge against the face to move obliquely relative to the vertical direction of pull, in fact almost perpendicular to the direction C-C. of extension of the cutting edge, as indicated by the line D-D. The resultant effect of these two tendencies toward movement in the directions of the lines LL and D-D, simultaneously ex-,

hibited, is a movement of the holder and cutting 'edge in the direction of .the line D-R; giving, a true slicing of the hairs of the beard.

By the present invention, this razor is transformed into a practicable and operative one, that is, one wherein the comparatively brittle blade, which must be positioned or keyed in place on one of the holder parts, to prevent bodily shifting of the blade during clamping of the holder parts together to flex the blade, can be thus positioned and keyed, and then flexed in the way required and to the' extent required, without cracking of the blade,

Such blade cracking, I have found, can absolutely be prevented if a keying means of the kind now to be described is provided.

The keying means of the present invention includes a particular aperturing of the blade, and. for coaction therewith, a particular key structure on the holder.

As to the aperturing of the blade, reference should now be had to Fig. 4, from which it will be seen that the axis A--X' has an oblique inolination of approximately at least 10' to either cutting edge No or I 8b of the blade. The chief characteristic of this aperturing is that the blade is. provided with a slot I80 having an elongation considerably greater than its width and having a general line of extension including said axis -A'--X'. For fully satisfactory results, this slot apparently must have further novel characteristics, as follows: (a) While the slot We may or may not be interrupted at about its middle point by a circular or other enlargement such as that shown at l8d, the slot must have sides Ills and His which are straight and parallel from near oneend of the slot to near the other end there-, of, sdthat, if the enlargement .llld is incorporated, it is present, as shown, as an interruption merely of the two straight and parallel sides is andl8s of the slot. (1)) As to the relations between the axis A-X' and the longitudinal center line of the slot and the straight and parallel sides of the slot,-either these sides must beso ,eachof said straight and prolonged blade edge 18a,

said axis while parallel thereto so that the 1011- gitudinal center line of the slot lies in said axis; or, preferably, and as shown in Fig. 4, the longitudinal center line of the slot must be at such an oblique inclination to saidaxis A--X' that, with parallel sides of the slot prolonged to intersect prolongations of said axis beyond opposite ends of the blade, and witheach of the blade prolonged to of the cutting edges of the axis, the thus intersect the prolongations prolonged slot side His will intersect the thus prolonged axis at a point V-marking the intersection of the latter and the thus prolonged blade edge 1%, the thus prolonged slot side Ills will intersect the thus prolonged axis at a point V marking the intersection of the latter and the thus V'will be' equidistant axis A'-X'.

For ideal results, and particularly to facilitate an automatic springing of the cutting edges of the blade to straight'line extensions rather than spiral ones when the blade is properly flexed and clamped in such a holder as that herein illustrated and described, yet withoutcracking the blade, apparently the aperturing of the blade must include, in addition to the slot 1 80, two other slotsl 8e and 18!. I

' This automatic springing of the cutting edges and said points V and from the midpoint of the of the blade to straight line extensions (and which would normally be accompanied, of course, by some torsion and twisting of the blade, however slight), canf absolutely safely occur, that is, without the slightest tendency to crack the blade, I have found, if said slots 18c and I8 be extended along substantially the median portions of the frusto-triangular sections of the blade on opposite sides of the axis AX'. Incidentally,

' the fact that thecutting edges of the blade do automatically thus spring to straight line extensions could not have been demonstrated, or, probably, even discovered, prior to the devising of an aperturing of the blade such that the same could be flexed not only in the may and to the extent required to render operable the form of razor to which the present invention relates by permit ting this flexure of the blade without cracking thereof but also in a manner to allow the cutting edges of the blade to spring from spiral to straight lines of extension without cracking of the blade.

Whatever be the explanation, I have found that the springing of the cutting edges of the blade to straight lines of extension is automatic, as aforesaid, when the holder parts are well and adequately tightened. One explanation which now seems reasonable is that the blade is so strongly resiliently biased to remain in normal flat extension, particularly along the side marginal portions thereof carrying its cutting edges because these run along the length of the elongate blade, that these side marginal portions of the blade do not allow the holder parts to be manually tightened to an extent .quite great enough to make the vertical spacing between the bl'a'decap and the blade tableprecisely that of the thickness of the blade. A very slight vertical spacing between the'blade cap and the blade table below and intermediate the ends of the side mar gins of the former, such as would be seen only on close scrutiny after these .holder parts have been manually tightened up as far as sensibly possible, is apparently enough of a spacing to allow the cutting edges of the blade to spring to straight line extensions.

As to said slots 18c and I 8) one on either side of the slot I 8c as aforesaid, they must apparently include characteristics additional to those alto the general line of extension of the slot I 80.

(0) Both of these slots 18c and 181 must have general lines of extension which are parallel. ((1) Each of said slots must have both of its opposite sides straight from near one end to near the other end of the slot. (e) These straight sides of one of said slots must be prolongable to meet a prolongation of the axis A'--X' at thepoint V, and the straight sides of the other of said slots must be prolongable to meet a prolongation of the axis'-A'--X' at the'point V.

As .to the key structure of the holder for coacting with the bladeaperturing 80, 8c, and 8!, reference should now be had to Fig. 5; such key structure in the present case being shown as carried by the top of blade table I6.

Actual tests have demonstrated that the slot 180, or an equivalent, and/or the slots l8e and 18f, or equivalents, must be present as true slots, that is,'each as an elongate cut-out presenting a single opening from end to end thereof, as contradistinguished from a, plurality of round or other localized apertures spaced along a straight line corresponding to the longitudinal center line of a true slot. But, on the other hand, these tests have also demonstrated that the key structure to coact with the slot I80, in order t provide a keying or positioning means to ho d' the blade against bodily shifting relative to the convexity on the top of the blade ,table during blade flexure, need not bea continuous rib or elongate projection extending from end to end of such slot, or even where the slot enlargement [8d is present, a rib-means comprising two rib sections one to one side and the other to the other side of the enlargement 18d and so in effect a single rib filling the slot from end to end thereof except where such rib is interrupted at said enlargement 18d. As the key structure for the slot l8c is here shown, however, the same comprises such an interrupted 'rib'as that last-described; the two rib sections thereof being marked lac? and 580" in Fig. 5. Nevertheless, as

just above indicated, cracking of the blade is effectually prevented if the key structure for the slot I is otherwise constructed; as my tests have indicated that the paramount. thing is the inclusion in the blade of a true slot which, like the slot 180, has a longitudinal center line which coincides with or is at a very slight oblique angle to the axis A'X' of the blade For'instance, cracking of the blade is,effectually prevented if the slot is laidout in either of the ways hereinabove described, with or without the enlargement "id, but with the key structure which enters said slot in the form of a plurality of posts (even ones of circular cross-section) spaced along a straight line corresponding to the longitudinal center line of the key structure i8c'--l 8c" so that there are two of such posts, at least, at or near the opposite ends of said straight line and desirably, a third such post at or near the midpoint of said straight line.

Any key structure herein referred to or, otherwise coming within the invention is, of course,

to have the characteristic that it shall coact with the blade aperturing to hold or brace the blade as prevised during fiexure thereof. Apparently, Y

an exceedingly small amount of play can be allowed between the blade and such a key structure; but preferably each key-structure component appropriate to the one or more slots of the blade aperturing which is or are to receive such a component nicely fits in the slot appointed to receive thesame, at least widthwisely thereof at spaced points lengthwisely of the slot, and, desirably also, in such manner that the slot is held at its opposite ends against excessive play longitudinally of the slot. That is, if such component is, as last described, composed of a plurality of key-structure elements in the form of posts or the like spaced along the appropriate slot, each of these. posts, at the portion thereof engaged by the slot in that stage of the flexing of the blade during which the same is to be acted on by the post as a contributor to a keying instrumentality, will preferably have a dimension perpendicular to the length of the slot only a few thousandths of an inch less than the width of the slot at the location of such post; while said component will include at least two such posts so located and shaped relative to the ends of the receiving slot therefor as to allow of only a' few thousandths of an inch play longitudinal ly of said slot. Similarly, as to the aforesaid rib sections Ito and 180" for the slot I8c, it is pointed out that the convexly rounded or outer ends of these sections and the tapered sides thereof, at the portions thereof where they coact with the sides and ends of the slot I80 as keying instrumentalities during flexing of the blade, are desirably so laid out that the key structure lBc'-l8c" will allow "only a few thousandths. of an inch or practically no real play as between said key structure and the slot I80. Wherever hereinafter a snug fit is referred tovas between a slot of the blade aperturing and a projection on the holder entering such a slot, there is meant such a fit that the blade during flexing is allowed no more than a few thousandths of an inch of play longitudinally or transversely of its axis A'--X'.

As to key-structure components for the slots Me and I8), actual tests have so far failed to satisfy me either that such components are needed, or that they are dispensable; although the indications are that they are exceedingly helpful if not actually necessary, although perhaps only as bracing instrumentalities rather than as V Nor have in the form of a plurality of posts or the like a spaced along a straigh't'line corresponding to the longitudinal center line of the appropriate slot. Very likely, however, these key-structure components could each be in' the form of an elon-v apparently the ideal construction for these keystructure components.

The hereinabove referred to recess lla'in the undersurface of the blade cap I! is shaped to accommodate the upper portions of the key structures or key-structure components I80- I80",

socket ii in the top of the handle internally threaded to match the thread on the stud.

Said stud I'l' then also acts as a filler for the blade slot l8c between the adjacent ends of the key-structure rib-sections vIlic' and 180" for that slot. In the present case, said, stud completely fills in the space between the adjacent ends of said sections; and the principal reason for incorporating the enlargement id of the slot I80 is because, here, the stud I'I' happens to be of greater diameter than the width of the slot I80. The blade table i6 is herein shown as preferably having, in top'plan and in plane development, the outline of a non-rectangularparallelogram, rather than that of say a rectangular parallelogram, and the blade cap I! is herein shown as having a similar -outline, so that each end of the holder will lie as seen in Fig. 1.

Where the blade table l6 and the blade cap II have the outline aforesaid, the blade I! desirably has substantially the same outline, as shown; but preferably with the two ends of the blade, which generally extend perpendicular to the axis A'-X, convexly rounded as indicated at Hid and 18h. v

As already-made plain, the scope of protection contemplated is to be taken solely from the appended claims (except where reference to the foregoing specification may be necessary, in fairness, to save their validity) and these claims are to be interpreted as broadly as is consistent with the prior art.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: v j l 1. In a hoe-type razor of the kind described,

said razor including a ribbon-type elongate blade having straight and parallel sides each presenting a cutting edge, a blade holder comprising a plurality ofholder parts between which'said blade is received, means for tightening said holder togrip said blade, said holder parts having blade contacting portions so shaped that when the holder is tightened with the blade correctly set therein the blade is urged toward lateral flexing about an axis of curvature extending along the blade at an oblique angle to said edges-the combination, with said blade, said holder parts and said tig'htening' means, of a blade in the holder to insure said flexing thereof without cracking the blade; said holding means including a slot slot includes straight and parallel sides and has its longitudinal center line so. located on the blade that said line coincides with said axis of curvature when the blade is correctly set in the holder by said key structure.

He and l8f', when the holderparts clamped together with the blade l8 therethe first-mentioned means for holding the in'the blade, saidslot running lengthwisely of the blade at an oblique angle to a ing a line offlexure for 3. The razor defined in claim 1, wherein said slot includes straight and parallel sides each prolongable to meet a prolongation of a difierent cutting edge of the blade, such meeting points being substantially equidistant from the oppositeends of theblade.

4. The razor defined in claim 1, wherein said slot includes straight and parallel sides each prolongable to meet a prolongation of a different cutting edge of the blade, and whereinprolongations of the axis of curvature of the blade when the blade is correctly set in the holder by said key structure meet said cutting edge prolongations at the points where they are met by prolongations of said slot sides.

5. The razor defined holding means also includes a par of auxiliary slots running lengthwisely, of .the blade, said auxiliary slots being sidewisely offset from the opposite sides of the slot first-mentioned and each tapering oppositely along the length of the blade. 1

. 6. The razor defined in claim 1, wherein said holding means also includes a pair of auxiliary slots running lengthwisely of the blade; said auxiliary slots being sidewisely ofiset from opposite sides of the slot first-mentioned and each tapering oppositely along the length of the blade, and wherein projections are carried by the holder for engaging said auxiliary slots.

7. The razor defined in claim 1, wherein, said holding means also includes a pair of auxiliary slots running lengthwisely of the blade, said auxiliary slots being sidewisely offset from opposite sides of the slot first-mentioned and each tapering oppositely along the length of the blade;

uniform width over a major part of its length.

8. 1*he razor defined in claim 1, wherein said holding means also includes a pair of auxiliary slots running lengthwisely of the blade, said auxiliary slots being sidewisely offset from opposite sides of the slot first-mentioned and each tapering oppositely both the sides of each of said auxiliaryjslots'be-i ing prolongable to meet at a common point a prolongation of a different one of the cutting l5 in claim 1, wherein said slot having substantially a along the length of the blade;

edges of the blade, said points being substantially equidistant from the opposite ends of the blade.

9. The razor defined in claim 1, wherein said holding means also includes apair of auxiliary slots running lengthwisely of the blade, said auxiliary slots being sidewisely offset from opposite sides of the slot first-mentioned and each tapering oppositely along the length of the blade; both the sides of each of said auxiliary slots being prolongable to meet prolongation of a different one ofthe cutting edges of the blade; the first-mentioned slot having substantially a uniform width over a major part of its length and the general direction of at a common point a extension thereof being such that prolongations i straight and parallel sides each presenting a use'in a hoe type razor of the cutting edge, for

kind described, such blade having an aperture including an elongated slot or series of openings running lengthwisely of the blade at an oblique angle to the cutting edges, said slot or openings and the portions of the blade in alignment with the median line of the slot or openings constitutthe blade when transversely arched by its'holder, and said line of flexure dividing the blade into two similar parts, each part including the whole of a cutting edge.

11. A razor blade according to claim 10, wherein said slot includes straight and parallel sides each prolongable to meet a prolongation ofa different cutting edge of the blade, and wherein prolongations of said axis of curvature of the blade meet said cutting edge prolongations at the points where they are met by prolongations of said slot sides.

12. A razor blade according to claim 10, wherein said aperturing of the blade also includes a pair of auxiliary slots running lengthwisely of theblade, said auxiliary slots being sidewisely oiiset from opposite sides of the slot first-men: tioned and each tapering oppositely along the length of the blade.

7 13. A razor blade according to claim 10, where in said aperturing of the blade also includes a pair of auxiliary slots running lengthwisely of l the blade, said auxiliary slots being sidewisely ofiset from opposite sides ofithe slot first-mentioned and each tapering oppositely along the length of the blade, each of said auxiliary slots. extending at an oblique angle both to the firsting substantially a uniform width over a major part of its length.

15. Arazor blade according to claim 10, wherein said aperturing of the blade also includes a pair of auxiliary slots running lengthwisely of the blade, said auxiliary slots being sidewisely offset from opposite sides or the slot first-mentioned and each tapering oppositely along the length of the blade; both the sides of each of said auxiliary slots being prolongable tqmeet at a common point 'a prolongation of a different one of the cutting edges of the blade said points being substantially equidistant from the opposite ends of the blade.

16. A razor blade according to claim 10, wherein said aperturing of the blade also includes a pair of auxiliary slots running lengthwisely of the blade, said auxiliary slots being sidewisely oilset from opposite sides of the slot first-mentioned and each tapering oppositely along the length of the blade; both the sides of each of said auxiliary slots being prolongable to meet at a common.

point a prolongation of a different one of the cutting edges of the blade; the first-mentioned slot having substantially a uniform width over a major part oi its length, and the general direction of extension thereof being such that proplurality of holder parts one of which is a blade table and between which holder parts a ribbon-l type elongate bladeehaving straight and parallel sides each presenting a cutting edge is to be received and flexed about an axis of curvature extending along the blade at an oblique angle to said cutting edges,the combination, with a blade table shaped at its top to present a laterally curved convexity which is adapted thus to flex the blade to cause one' of said cutting edges to ascend and the other to descend from the same end of the holder, said convexity having its longitudinal center line spirally extended but also having a horizontal crest line which is straight, said crest line extending at an oblique angle to the vertical plane including saidcenter line, of a means for keying the blade in the holder to set the blade correctly the blade and hold it in cutting position with a portion of the blade at one side of a median line extending obliquely to the cutting edges of the blade corresponding to the surface of a cone and the other portion of the blade on the opposite side of said line corresponding to the surface of another cone reversed with respect to the first, the cutting edges of the blade coinciding with the generatrix of the conical surface to which they conform, said edges lying obliquely with respect to a plane perpendicular, to the handle.

20. A safety razor having a holder provided with means for clamping a wafer-type blade, said blade having two parallel cutting edges and having an aperturing extending at an oblique angle to the cutting edges, said aperturing defining a line of fiexure for the blade when said blade is held in the clamping means, said line of fiexure dividing the blade into two portions each of which, when the blade is in cutting position in the clamping means, lies in a surface corresponding to a portion of the surface of a cone, with the convergence of one conical portion opposite in direction to that of the other.

21. In a razor of the character described, a blade holder having a plurality of parts, one of which is a blade table and between which holder parts a wafer type blade having straight and parallel sides, each presenting a cutting edge is received and flexed about an axis of curvature extending along the blade at an oblique angle to said cutting edges, the blade table being shaped at its top to present a, laterally curved convexity adapted to flex the blade to cause one of its cutting edges to ascend and the other cutting edge to descend from the same end of-the holder yet maintain said cutting edges on straight lines, said convexity having its longitudinal center line spirally extended but also having a horizontal crest line which'isstraight, said crest line extending at an oblique angle to'the vertical plane, including said center line, and a means for keying the blade in the holder to set the blade correctly relatively to said convexity.

" EDWARD SIEGEL. 

